Koren Robinson: Antidote for the Vick story?

By Os Davis  |   Tuesday, August 21, 2007  |  Comments( 6 )

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NFL commissioner Roger Goodell was ubiquitously quoted late last week on the Michael Vick story, stating that "I don't think it's overshadowing the season."

Anyone else wondering what Goodell's thinking right about now?

On Friday, the same day media outlets had flooded wire, Internet and TV with Goodell's opinions on the story of Lord Vickemort, came a little item out of Green Bay Packers quarters regarding Koren Robinson.

Surely you remember Robinson. In 2001, the wide returner/return specialist was drafted No. 9 overall by the Seattle Seahawks. In 2005, he garnered 1,221 yards on special teams, earning him a Pro Bowl bid. In March 2006, the Minnesota Vikings threw a $12.7 million, three-year contract extension his way.

For much of the 2006 season, Robinson was suspended from the NFL for a full year for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Robinson pleaded not guilty in court to DUI charges around the same time; DUI offenses have been a problem that got the ultra-talented WR cut from both Seahawks and Vikings. He was found guilty.

In 2007, Robinson spent his spring in prison or being monitored by authorities while doing public service as part of his 90-day sentence.

But on Friday, reports came that Robinson would most likely be given one more chance at redemption.

Packer backers surely remember Robinson from his brief run with Green Bay last season. Quickly installed on special teams after the acquisition in Week 2, Robinson was looking like a viable part of the Packer offense by Week 5, catching four passes in a close loss to the St. Louis Rams.

This season, the situation is not quite as desperate at receiver as things appeared to be in the first half of 2006 - the Packers had four receivers on the active roster for Opening Day last year - but things are more than slightly up in the air in Green Bay. Recently departed is Robert Ferguson; and while Ruvell Martin and Carlyle Holiday are by all reports impressive enough thus far, no one is confusing them with Antonio Freeman yet.

Special teams seem decent for Green Bay, with Will Blackmon wowing in the preseason thus far. However, the returning corps has been thinned a bit with the injury to Shaun Bodiford.

Add this to the news that Robinson has a "long relationship" with General Manager Ted Thompson, and Koren should be in a Packers uniform again come September.

Though Robinson is no angel - drunken driving is, after all, a dangerous and irresponsible act that often enough results in death - but his greatest enemy is simply himself. Amid the darkness of the Vick story and countless other offenders, it would be nice to see a decent guy (not to mention a thrilling player on the field) like Robinson succeed. Wouldn't it be good to just once read a story that doesn't conclude with "suspension" or "90 days"? There might yet be a happy ending to this story and, with what is sure to be a continued Michael Vick blitz until Robinson's back on the field, fans have to be cheering him on a bit.

Here's to hoping Koren Robinson gets his redemption.

Original Green Bay Packers insight, courtesy of RealFootball365.com
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About Os Davis

Os Davis has taken a twisted route to get to RealFootball365.com in his nearly 17 years in professional writing, working in any number of capacities in the sportswriting, news reporting and film criticism worlds. In print media, Os has served as editor at a few publications, including Albuquerque's...
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